Locking device for incandescent-lamp bulbs.



No. 804,387. I 4 PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905. R. E. DAVIS. LOCKING DEVICE FOR INGANDESGENT LAMP BULBS.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.18, 1905 UNITED STATES PATENT UFFIQE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1905.

Application filed February 18, 1905. Serial No- 246,219.

1'0 (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH E. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Alton, in

purloining of said bulbs.

Figure I is a perspective view of an incandescent electric lamp with my locking device applied thereto. Fig. II is a perspective view of the locking device in open condition. Fig. III is a cross-section of the locking device shown applied to an incandescent electric lamp. Fig. IV is a cross-section taken through the locking device on line IV IV, Fig. III. Fig. V is an inside view of the locking device at the location of the lock-catches. Fig. VI is a top view of a modification of my locking device.

A designates the socket of an incandescent lamp, and B the lamp-bulb that fits within said socket.

My locking device consists of sections 1 and 2, that are swingingly united by a hinge 3. Each of the sections 1 and 2 is provided with an upper inwardly-extending flange a, that is adapted to be clamped to the neck of the socket A when the locking device members are fitted around said socket-neck, the point of fitting of said flange being that immediately above the bead A, common to all ordinary incandescent-lamp sockets.- At the lower side of each of the members 1 and 2 is an inwardly-extending flange b, that when the locking-device members are fitted to the incandescent lamp occupies positions beneath the ferrule of the lamp-bulb, as seen in Fig. III. Secured to the lower flanges b are insulator-strips 4, that are adapted to engage the inner end of the lamp-bulb ferrule when the locking-device members are fitted to the lamp, thereby insulating the lamp-bulb from its socket-shell. At the free end ofthe locking-device member 2 is a catch-tongue 5, that is secured to said member ina manner to project beyond its end.

6 is a spring-catch that is secured to the locking-device member 1 and preferably consists of a pair ofhook-arms between which the catch-tongue 5 is adapted to pass to be engaged thereby when the free ends of the members 1 and 2 are brought together. In the member 1 is a keyhole 7, through which a suitable key 8 may be introduced to be turned for the purpose of spreading the catch-arms 6 and permitting separation of the catch-tongue 5 therefrom.

In the use of my locking device the lampbulb B is first introduced into its socket. The locking members 1 and 2 are then placed around the socket and bulb with the upper flanges a located above the socket-bead A and the lower flanges b with their insulatorstrips located beneath the bulbferrule. When the parts are in this position, the free ends of the locking-device members are brought together and the catch-tongue 5 en ters into a position between the catch-arms '6 to be engaged thereby, thus firmlysecuring the locking device to the lamp and holding the lamp-bulb from extraction until the looking device has been unlocked by the use of the key provided for that purpose. The unlocking of the device is readily accomplished by introducing the key 8 through the keyhole 7 and turning it to spread the catch-arms 6 and free the catch-tongue previously positioned between said arms.

While I have shown and described a specific construction of lock for securing the locking-device members in closed condition, I wish it understood that I do notwish to limit myself to this particular construction of lock, as any other suitable form may be made use of.

In Fig. VI, I have shown a modification in which the locking device is of elongated form when in closed condition instead of circular form when in closed condition. In this modification 1' and 2 are the locking-device members united by a hinge 3 and provided with flanges similar to those previously described. These members are adapted to be connected at their free ends by a look similar to the previously-described construction that may be released by a key 8 I .claim as my invention 1. A locking device for securing incandescent-electric-lamp bulbs to their sockets comprising a pair of members hinged to each other at ends thereof, and catches carried by said members and arranged for engagement with each other when the free ends of said members are brought together, substantially as set forth.

IIO

2. In a locking device for incandescentlamp bulbs, the combination of a pair of members hinged to each other and provided at their upper and lower sides with inwardlyextending flanges and catches carried by said members adapted for engagement with each other when the free ends of said members are brought together, substantially as set forth.

3. In a lockin device for incandescentelectric-lamp bul s, the combination of a pair of members hinged to each other and provided with upper and lower inwardly-extending flanges, insulator-strips carried by said lower flanges, and catches carried by said members adapted for engagement with each other when the free ends of said members are brought together, substantially as set forth.

4. In a locking device for incandescent- RALPH E. DAVIS.

Inpresenoe of NELLIE V. ALEXANDER, BLANGHE HOGAN. 

